Anderson
Silva was honored Sunday on “Domingao do Faustao,” a popular
program on Brazil’s biggest TV network, Rede Globo.

The show aired several moving testimonials from people in the UFC
middleweight champion’s life, including his wife, children, mother
and soccer legend Pele. Before that, however, Silva had to answer
questions from the public.

One fan in the studio audience asked whether Silva agreed with the
actions of Jon Jones, who
declined an offer to defend the UFC light heavyweight title against
Chael
Sonnen after original opponent Dan
Henderson came up injured. The decision ultimately led to the
UFC canceling the Sept. 1 event.

“You have a whole camp preparing to fight a specific athlete,”
Silva replied. “When the opponent changes, the preparation changes
a bit. I thought he could have fought Chael, but it’s his decision.
He prepared to fight Dan Henderson. The whole team thought it was
best not to fight.”

Silva also spoke about the rumors that he offered to “save” UFC 151
at the last minute.

“When I heard the event might be canceled, I called [UFC President]
Dana White and said I would fight in the light heavyweight division
against someone who also wasn’t training for the event,” explained
Silva. “Besides the main fight, the event had many other fighters
who depended on it. I worried about that, because I have lived
through situations like this in smaller events.”

Silva’s management recently announced that the champ plans to
return in 2013, but exactly who he’ll face next remains unclear.
One option is Chris
Weidman, the unbeaten New Yorker who has been publicly
campaigning for a shot at the 185-pound belt since defeating
Mark
Munoz in July.

“I didn’t refuse anything,” Silva answered when asked if he turned
down a fight against Weidman. “I’m here to fight! He’ll get his
chance sometime. You have to ask Dana White about this.”